Having just returned from her fifth Alaskan cruise, author Tammy Whiting has some recommendations for activities! If excursions are outside your vacation budget, don’t worry; there are plenty of free things to do as well. Excursions in Alaska can be pricey, but many of these may be once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Here are 10 things to do in Alaskan cruise ports.
1. Puppies – I’m a firm believer that any excursion that involves puppies is worth the money. Several excursions that involve sled dogs also involve puppies. We went on a great excursion with gold panning, sled dogs, and a train ride in Skagway that ended with puppies being brought out and passed around. Heavenly!
2. Whale Watching – You’ll likely have several opportunities to see whales in Alaska. You’ll increase your odds if you book a whale-watching excursion. There are many good ones, but I recommend a smaller ship so you’ll have fewer people to navigate around when you do see something! I also make a habit of scanning the ocean whenever I’m near a window or outside. Watch for vertical blows of water spray— that’s a whale! Keep watching around that spot, and you’re likely to see at least part of it surface.
3. Train Trip – If you are stopping in Skagway, any excursions that include the White Pass Railway are popular. The views are beautiful, and the narration is entertaining! I generally recommend excursions that take the train up and another means of getting down, to mix it up.
Tip: Make sure you bring your passport because you will be entering Canada!
4. Kayaking – If you’re a kayaker, Alaska is a beautiful place to get on the water. Tip: Look for a kayaking excursion that includes some kind of snacks. Snacks are important after hard work.
5. Hiking – I have great news about hiking in Alaska: It’s free! There are several websites devoted to safe hikes near cruise ports, and with a small amount of research, you can find one that will fit your desired distance and difficulty level.
6. Panning for Gold – Panning for gold is a classic excursion for Alaska, and your kids will likely love it. Don’t go into it expecting to walk out rich; instead, enjoy the experience and the gold flakes you will likely find.
7. Glacier Excursion – On glacier day, everyone on the ship should have some amazing views of the glacier. It’s not cheap, and it fills up quickly, but if you can swing the small-ship excursion, I highly recommend it. The small ship gets very close to the glacier—close enough to hear the glacier calving and feel the waves it creates.
8. Air Excursion – Another classic excursion in Alaska is a helicopter or float plane trip. Those helicopters and float planes usually take you somewhere awesome, but in this case, the journey is as spectacular as the destination. Tip: Float planes generally aren’t canceled for weather as often as helicopter excursions are.
9. Wildlife Spotting – As I mentioned in a previous blog post, you’re going to want to bring binoculars! The wildlife viewing can be amazing! In addition to the previously mentioned whales, you’ll likely encounter several bald eagles, and if you sail later in the summer during salmon season, you’re more likely to see bears as well. Tip: Look for bright-white spots in the trees whenever you are near land (which is a lot of the time). Those little spots that look like golf balls in a tree? They’re usually the heads of the eagles!
10. Eat Seafood – You’re in Alaska. If you’re a seafood fan, you need to find some. The ship will serve some if you are like my husband and consider it a criminal act to pay for food in a port when there is free food onboard. If you are looking for fresher seafood or giant crab legs, however, you’ll find plenty of options in the ports!
About the author of the blog: Tammy Whiting is the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. Blogger, Space Force wife, and mother of two, Tammy has been involved in the travel industry for more than 15 years. Though she certainly enjoys vacations of all kinds, her favorite adventures around the globe have been on cruise ships. Tammy spent five years of her childhood in Europe as a military brat and has been a military spouse for over 30 years, living in almost every corner of the US. When she isn’t traveling, you can find her enjoying her family, buying camera equipment, and planning her next trip!
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Are you interested in a Disney Alaskan cruise? What would be your favorite port excursion? We would love to know.
